RFC55 109,132 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Who will win Zenit vs celtic? Our writers deliver their predictions for Euro showdown It's a massive Europa League night in Russia but It's another crunch night on the Continent for celtic but can Brendan Rodgers' men finish the job they started in Glasgow seven days ago and keep the Euro dream rolling along. The Hoops are in snowy St Petersburg for the Europa League last-32 second-leg tie against Zenit . And they're hoping they don't freeze on the night with temperatures expected to dip to minus 15 by kick-off time. celtic hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Glasgow last week but it could have been more. Will that slender advantaged be enough to help them over the line? We put our writers on the Record Sportdesk on the spot and asked for their big-match predictions. Here's what they had to say... READ MORE Brendan Rodgers says celtic are a match for ANYONE in Europa League as he challenges side to finish job against Zenit GAVIN BERRY The Hoops have a good record in Russia - undefeated in their last three visits - and they can continue that against a Zenit side who were hyped up far too much before the first leg. Roberto Mancini might have spent a fortune but if you looked beyond the millions spent they aren't Champions League-quality as many said and if you throw in the fact they are rusty then there's no reason why celtic can't progress, despite the obvious home advantage. Zenit St Petersburg 1 celtic 1 (Image: SNS Group) READ MORE celtic superfan Rod Stewart says he owes Martin Keown a punch after pundit's 'embarrassing' dig MICHAEL GANNON It’s not going to be straight-forward, that’s for sure. The Krestovsky Stadium will be like cauldron as the locals like to raise the roof. celtic will need to hang on at times because Zenit won’t be as poor as they were in Glasgow. It’s hard to see the Hoops keeping the Russians out for 90 minutes but they do have the players who can hurt teams on the break and can nick a goal. Hold tight for a thriller in the chiller. Zenit 3-2 celtic (Celts to go through on away goals) celtic head to Russia with a 1-0 lead thanks to Callum McGregor's goal in Glasgow on Thursday night (Image: UEFA) SCOTT McDERMOTT celtic need to replicate their first-leg performance to have a chance of going through and if they do, they can net in St Petersburg. Roberto Mancini's men can't be as poor as they were in Glasgow but scoring three is a big ask and a Hoops away goal can seal their place in the last 16. Zenit 2-1 celtic (Celts go through on away goals) READ MORE Zenit hail celtic skipper Scott Brown as Russia's favourite Scotsman as Hoops take a pre-match stroll ANTHONY HAGGERTY Brendan Rodgers embraces the players at full time last week celtic's travel sickness in Europe has been well documented. However the Hoops have fared well in Russia and have won twice and drawn once on three visits to the country. Brendan Rodgers' men will have to stay focused as they may have to defend for long periods but celtic are well capable of scoring themselves especially if Moussa Dembele leads the line as well as he did in Glasgow. The Hoops caught Roberto Mancini's cold at celtic Park last week and can do so again in the Krestovsky Stadium tonight. The Scots might well slip to a narrow defeat but the crucial away goal will prove enough to extend celtic's Europa League odyssey into the last 16. Zenit St Petersburg...2 celtic...1 GORDON PARKS Brendan Rodgers celebrates the win (Image: PA) The Russians have to show a quality and attacking intent which was absent in Glasgow and celtic's lack of defensive stability will be punished. Brendan Rodgers failed to recruit at the back and that will come back to haunt the Hoops against a side who are more than capable of lifting their game to a level which should be too much for the Scottish champions to cope with. Zenit 2 celtic 0 GORDON WADDELL There seems to be a school of thought that celtic will get taught a lesson by the Russians on their own patch tonight, that the Zenit we saw last week can't possibly be a proper representation of what a team assembled for tens of millions should look like. And you're entitled to think they should be better - but it's not as if they've had any extra competition in between times to sharpen up their act. The fact the roof's closed on the stadium to keep the sub-zero chills at bay should actually work as an advantage to the team not used to the extremes as well, not a deterrent. It IS hard to imagine a team of their talent not taking it up a notch from last week - but not to the point they go through. I'm taking celtic to score, Zenit to win, but not by the margin they need. Zenit 2 celtic 1 (Celts through on away goals) Callum McGregor scores the winning goal last week (Image: PA) READ MORE Tommy Burns joining celtic pile-on will never be forgotten but we want to create another magic memory in Russia says Scott Brown Callum McGregor celebrates scoring last week(Image: PA) FRASER WILSON Last week I predicted celtic would win narrowly but lose the tie over two legs. However, having seen just how rusty the Russians looked - and how competently celtic dealt with them - I'm changing that call. Just. Watching celtic away from home when the pressure in on in Europe is never comfortable. And Zenit will be better this week, be sure of that. But Rodgers' side have the knack of seeing themselves over the line one way or another and I expect that to the case tonight. It's a huge night defensively for celtic but if they hold their shape and avoid handing out gifts then they should have enough to get past Zenit. But they may need an away goal. Zenit 2 celtic 1 (Celts through on away goals) DARREN COONEY If the question is will celtic go through, then the answer is yes. The more difficult part comes in whether Rodgers’ side will win. Harder still is what the score will be. Well, that’s why we’re paid the big bucks so here goes. celtic will score in Russia and Moussa Dembele will be the hero. But they will lose a goal, too, although it will still be more than enough to progress into the last 16. Zenit 1 celtic 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RZA83 195 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ritchieshearercaldow 22,158 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 5 minutes ago, standup said: Yet again I find myself pondering the question of where do they really belong. The first belonging was The Champions League, an unnamed UEFA official confirmed it in a BBC Scotland sports report, "celtic belong in the Champions League it is better with them in it, everyone would agree with that". We now can clearly see that they don't belong there, it is also widely believed in the media that cellic are too good and big for Scottish football, so they certainly don't belong here. WE then move on to somewhere else The Europa, they certainly do belong there we are told and are considered as potential winners, but we can see that they dont belong in the Europa, it is quite obvious. So I ask again where do they belong. We know where they belong and it’s not in Scotland. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vision 16,729 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Never get tired of seeing this gif Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Soprano 22,428 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 There have been rumours for months now that things aren’t right in the fenians dressing room. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broxi bear 48 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 57 minutes ago, McEwan's Lager said: I know. Brilliant isn’t it ? Long may it continue mate Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vision 16,729 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 2 minutes ago, Junior Soprano said: There have been rumours for months now that things aren’t right in the fenians dressing room. Sinclair n Dumbelle body language for a start Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
standup 829 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 After the weekend games there is a possibility of the words crisis and disarray being used for the team from nowhere. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miracle 7,818 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 They're really laying in to De Vries (and Brenda as he brought him in to be No.1)... should do wonders for his confidence. Believe! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryju84 3,170 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Still cant fathom why no one blamed St Brenda for that defeat Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
markem 7,287 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 21 minutes ago, Junior Soprano said: There have been rumours for months now that things aren’t right in the fenians dressing room. Been rumours about that dressing room longer than that mate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperPapac05 3,383 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 8 minutes ago, Ryju84 said: Still cant fathom why no one blamed St Brenda for that defeat Because he's the best British manager around ... supposedly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wearethepeople1 3,897 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 6 minutes ago, Ryju84 said: Still cant fathom why no one blamed St Brenda for that defeat If he had an intension of going for it he would have started Sinclair and musonda (sp) Taking off no neck was clearly with the sheep game in mind. He knows these cunts only care about beating us and he will continues to get his ridiculous salary if he continues that. I just pray we can make a proper title race of what is left of the season They have had it far too easy for years and years, need to see them under pressure Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperPapac05 3,383 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 54 minutes ago, LaudrupsPatrickBoots said: It used to be hilarious when it was posting genuine stuff from their forum. It's mostly made up shite now though unfortunately. TBF, this looks like one of the genuine ones Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRITNEY IS NOT FEELING IT 8,293 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 This was celtic's heaviest defeat in the Europa League or UEFA Cup since October 1991, when they lost 5-1 away at Neuchâtel Xamax in the last 32. celtic haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 12 away games in the Europa League, with their last one coming back in November 2009 (0-0 at Hamburg). Keep up the great work Brenda , Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prso's headband 35,511 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 It’s genuinely quite remarkable at the lack of criticism he gets. The media and him genuinely believe he’s the best thing to happen to Scottish football in a generation. You’ve got cunts saying they need to change the style in next years CL and the Lurgan bigot saying he’s eyeing second before us and the sheep. Nobody believes there is a title race on here and that in itself shows the sheer arrogance of them and their media lapdogs The outrage and serious meltdown if we win it this season will be off the scale. There could actually be genuine riots from them if we do it. They are so delusional and concerned about us they’re missing everything that’s going on at that dump on and off the park. Hopefully that continues until it’s too late. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
heathen fish boy 8,583 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eejay the dj 31,964 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 2 hours ago, Rangers_no1 said: 'Top Club' Zenit will be challenging for CL next year.... You are kidding . Even tonight they were mince Still good enough to beat this shower of mutants Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hilts 12,819 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
heathen fish boy 8,583 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 1 minute ago, Captain Hilts said: That's no way to treat his sister Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMB 14,167 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 When Delia was in charge they always said 'don't judge him on his domestic success, judge him in Europe'. Rodgers was brought in to get them success on the European stage and he's failed miserably. It's just a shame we couldn't have been a little more consistent this season and pushed them harder because they would be calling for his head right now. Hopefully they drop points in the coming weeks, the gap narrows, and the pressure really piles on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waggy1872 427 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 2 minutes ago, eejay the dj said: You are kidding . Even tonight they were mince Still good enough to beat this shower of mutants Think he means that's what that mob will be saying now they've just been pumped by them Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Dangerously 7,562 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 2 hours ago, pcbear said: Rod Stewart was on Talksport this morning touting him for the Spurs job senile auld cunt. Yeah Brazil said we will have Rod back on tomorrow if celtic get the right result. Oh dear! Haha Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueshoff 11,870 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 4 minutes ago, Johnny Dangerously said: Yeah Brazil said we will have Rod back on tomorrow if celtic get the right result. Oh dear! Haha So he's back on ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Dangerously 7,562 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 2 minutes ago, Blueshoff said: So he's back on ? Brazil will probably phone in sick himself. Ha Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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